Dear Daniel,

Thank you for your question. It is very good to read that you are devoted to such a wonderful Buddha. Her practice is very powerful and beneficial. In regards to the visualisation, you should follow what is either described in the prayers, and or follow the visual representations that are correct according to iconography, such as thangkas. This is because each part of a Buddha’s form, right down to their colour, clothes and position, has a specific meaning. Meditating on this, one can gain spiritual realisations as their body is in essence a road map to enlightenment. Therefore, we are taught not to add to our own details to the change the form of the Buddha in any way, unless the changes are deemed ok by your guru.

As for the prayers to Saraswati and the mantra to recite, you should keep to one lineage and mantra. The reason for this is that although each of the lineages are entirely valid, the blessings of Saraswati will flow stronger through the practice when you concentrate on one particular prayer and one particular mantra. For example if you are following the Sakya tradition, they will have a certain sadhana and prayers to recite, while if you follow the Gelug tradition, the sadhana and prayers will be slightly different. Even though different, both will lead you to Saraswati, but we must put in our own efforts into practicing one of them strongly in order to do so. Therefore what you should do is to choose which tradition you would like to follow and then practice the prayers and mantras from that particular tradition strongly. This will create the necessary conditions and connection, that in the future you will be able to receive the practice following this lineage and gain attainments through her practice.

As for visualising yourself as Saraswati, this is only done so after one has received tantric initiation into the practice. For those of us that have not yet received her practice, we should visualise Saraswati in front of us, rather than generating ourselves as Saraswati.

You can find a prayer written by Lama Tsongkhapa, who relied on the practice of Saraswati and even promoted it, here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/sadhana-prayers.html#16. If you like you can recite this prayer, and concentrate strongly on the mantra of Saraswati. This in itself will bring you a lot of benefit. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Albert,

Thank you for your question. It is very good that you know the importance of keeping precepts and vows. When we hold our precepts and vows, we purify our negative karma and accumulate merit, which is essential for progress on our spiritual path. In the case that we break any of the precepts or vows, we need to engage in purification practices in order to stop the karma from multiplying and instead purify it. Below are links to two very potent practice that you can engage in if you do break your precepts. In fact both these practices are very beneficial on the path to enlightenment because they are very powerful practices geared towards the purification of negative karma:
Vajrasattva practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/an-important-purification-practice.html
35 Confessional Buddhas: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/the-35-confessional-buddhas.html

Both practices need to be engaged in using the Four Opponent Powers, for them to be effective. These are (i) refuge (taking refuge in the Three Jewels), (ii) regret (regretting that you have broken your precepts or created negative karma), (iii) remedy (the actual purification practice), and (iv) resolve (never to commit the same action for as long as possible). Note that number iii (regret) is not the same as guilt. Regret is knowing that your action has caused harm to oneself or another sentient being, and that this has generated negative karma. When we do this, the fault of breaking our precepts is purified. If you like, once in a while, if your guru is bestowing the same precepts, you can take them again to repair them, but it is not entirely necessary to do so.

In the examples you have given, the reason why you would break your precepts is because you are not being mindful of them, therefore you need to train yourself to be able to keep them. For example, most people find it a natural reaction to swat a mosquito that has bitten us, and in the process kill it. However, if we are more mindful of our surroundings, and our precept not to kill, when we are bitten, we train ourselves not to swat the mosquito and kill it. Instead we could blow the mosquito away, rather than kill it. Training to keep the precepts is not an immediate thing, we need to train ourselves over time to be able to keep the precepts well. As for drinking alcohol, this is the same. If we are in situations where we know that there is going to be alcohol served, we should be more mindful to ensure that we keep that precept. Overtime, we will train ourselves to not to drink alcohol in situations where we normally would have, such as at a wedding.

No sexual misconduct, traditionally meant no sexual activity outside of marriage. However the real meaning of sexual misconduct is that one of the people involved is not willing to have sexual relations, for example rape. In the case of a girlfriend/boyfriend, it is not sexual misconduct if both of them are in a stable, loving relationship and both give their consent to do so. In the case of having negative thoughts about the act itself, this does not constitute sexual misconduct.

The way to keep the precepts well, is to train yourself to do so over time. There is no quick fix to be able to keep the precepts well immediately, unless you have very strong Dharma imprints from previous lives. Therefore the way to progress on the path of keeping precepts and vows well is to be mindful of that you have them and keep reminding yourself of them. Overtime, as you continue to train yourself, you will find that you re-habituate yourself to live by them. Coupled with this, are the various purification practices that you can engage in if you do break any of the precepts, and purify any negative karma you have accumulated as a consequence of a particular action, such as killing. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Delphine S. Pillar/Metta Nguyen,

I am very sorry to read that you are going through this at the moment. You are not alone in this, many people have gone through what you are, and there is definitely a way to help solve the problem. Nothing is impossible in this situation, so have hope and keep your mind firm.

May I suggest that you engage in the practice of Dorje Shugden in his wrathful form of Trakze. This practice is very beneficial in such cases where people have very strong spirit disturbances, as you have described. Even though the visualisations may seem complicated, you should try you best to practice them. If you really cannot do so, you can concentrate on an image of Trakze while reciting the mantra and believe strongly that Trakze is present in your home and protecting you. However the best would be to engage in the visualisations as described in this post: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html. Here is a link to a video teaching about the practice as well, which covers the same information, but may be easier to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiNx7DENlfw.

Another thing to do, that you may find helpful is to print off a copy of the Dorje Shugden Sung Kor, which you can find here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/wp-content/gallery/buddha-images-high-resolution/dssungkhorhighres.jpg. This can be placed above the front door and back door, to create strong protection against spirits and negative energies. Many people that have faced the same sort of problems that you are, have been helped through the practice of Dorje Shugden and Trakze. You can also continue to put salt down and smudge the house with white sage smoke. When you are smudging, you should ensure that there is a lot of smoke, and recite the mantra of Dorje Shugden or Trakze while you do so. This can definitely help the situation. You can even use Protector Incense, available here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/tibetan-juniper-loose-incense. This is very potent for clearing negative energies from one’s house.

There are numerous pujas or prayers that can invoke upon the energies of the enlightened beings that can definitely help in this situation if you want to sponsor them. Such a puja is the Trakze Puja which would be performed on your behalf (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/trakze-puja-fund), Sheningdundok Puja (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/sheningdundok-puja-fund) and even the Gyabshi Puja (http://www.vajrasecrets.com/gyabshi-puja-fund). These pujas have been used for centuries by the monasteries and are very effective.

The key here is to remember that you should keep your mind as stable and firm as possible. When we encounter such problems, especially of the supernatural kind, this can greatly disturb our mind, and we have many unstable thoughts running through our head, and may begin to act not like our normal selves. This is actually something that will allow the spirit to be able to disturb you mind even more. When our minds are unstable then spirit disturbances can increase. When people engage in practices that counter spirit disturbances, they may notice that the disturbances increase at the beginning. This is normal, but over time if you continue with the practice, you will notice that the situation can be resolved over time. I sincerely hope that all of this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Kevin,

Thank you for question, which itself shows you have faith and reverence towards Chakrasamvara. It is very good that you would want to receive his practice in the future, as it can definitely lead you to enlightenment. It is a very powerful practice.

In order to create this affinity you should engage in strong Dharma practice, including the purification of karma and accumulation of merit. Accompanied with this, you should ensure you keep strongly any vows and commitments you have taken, such as the refuge and bodhisattva vows. Even if you have not formally received these vows from a qualified guru yet, you can still live by them and consciously strive to keep them on a daily basis. This is to create the causes that you can receive and live by the vows according to Highest Yoga Tantra, which is very important to generate spiritual realisation.

For a specific affinity with Chakrasamvara, you can follow the points listed in this post: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/vajrayogini-the-powerful-divine-red-lady.html. Even though the post is about creating an affinity with Vajrayogini (who is Chakrasamvara’s consort, and whose practice is a condensed version of Chakrasamvara’s) the same points can be applied to creating an affinity with any Buddha. For specific prayers that you can recite to create this connection, here is the link to one you can engage in create that affinity, as advised by His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/vajra-yogini/the-extremely-secret-song-of-realization.html. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Tashi,

There are many oracles within Tibetan Buddhism, and the practice exists within all four main lineages. Though many oracles exist and can be quite powerful in their abilities, many of them are not well known. The practice of oracles is actually prevalent within the Tibetan tradition. For example, the Tibetan government have historically consulted the Nechung oracle for secular purposes. Whereas oracles of Dorje Shugden and other high level enlightened protectors are consulted within the three great monastic universities in the Gelugpa traditions.

Dorje Yudronma is known as an unenlightened protector of Gyuto tantric monastery, and there is a well-known Dorje Yudronma oracle, an elder Tibetan woman. She is known to take trance of Dorje Yudronma, and her trances are known to be very effective and powerful, especially for healing people of their illnesses.

Here is a link to a video about the oracles of Dorje Shugden and procedures that are engaged in to train oracles and what a trance session involves. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Ryan,

Thank you for your question. In order to achieve rebirth in the Pure Land of the Medicine Buddha, one needs to engage in virtuous actions in order to generate merit, and purification of negative karma. As one engages in the Buddhist path, one needs to create a strong connection with the Medicine Buddha. One of the best ways to do this is to engage in the practice of Medicine Buddha, especially the practice entitled ‘The Concise Essence Sutra Ritual of Bhagavan Medicine Buddha called The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel’. This practice includes the specific prayer to be reborn in the Pure Land of Medicine Buddha. You can find the practice here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/prayers-and-sadhanas/medicine-buddha-practice.html.

Therefore, there are two things that need to be done in order to be born in any pure land, and they are (i) practicing the Dharma, and (ii) creating the connection with the particular Buddha. This is the best way to achieve rebirth in any pure realm. For those with higher tantric initiation who practice the methods of consciousness transference, they can purposefully eject their consciousness from their body, and take rebirth in a pure land. I hope this helps, please don’t hesitate to ask more questions here.

Thank you.

Dear Demian,

Nagarakshasa is an emanation of Lord Manjushri, whose practice grants all the benefits of Lord Manjushri’s practice (https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/all-about-manjushri.html). However, Nagarakshasa’s practice is especially effective for dealing with diseases caused by nagas, local deities, and other supernatural beings, and calming the environment in which these beings live. Therefore, the practice is engaged in when strong protection from adverse supernatural forces is needed. The mantra of Nagarakshasa is: Om Phe Lam Hum. And the long mantra is: Nagpo Tipaca Naga-Raksa Om Phe Lam Hum.

The other mantra that you mentioned is used in some lineages to invoke upon the 10 naga kings. In some lineages there are 10 naga kings, and in other lineages there are 8 naga kings, it depends on the classification you follow. You can find their description in many places online. As they are not enlightened beings, they are only propitiated under the direction of a qualified lama, as nagas are easier angered, and therefore there are strict procedures to follow while engaging.

You can find more information about the naga kings in the Apology to the Naga Realm, which you can find here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/apology-to-the-naga-realm.html. Though most practices that surround nagas require some form of tantric initiation, this practice does not. The post includes advice if you want to recite the practice as well. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Marechal,

Thank you for your message. This section is actually answered by the Kechara pastors, however I am very glade that His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche’s teachings have been a great benefit to you. I myself have benefited from the teachings, which have led me to Kechara and becoming a pastor.

Both the practices of Dorje Shugden and Setrap are very powerful and beneficial, and have been practiced in the monasteries for centuries. In fact their practices are engaged in on a daily level by members of Kechara, and we even have a joint Dorje Shugden and Setrap puja held on a weekly basis at Kechara House in Kuala Lumpur, and a monthly Dorje Shugden puja held in Kechara Forest Retreat.

If you would like to make a formal request for taking refuge with His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche, you should send the request to Kechara House, who will pass on the request on your behalf. In the letter you can tell Rinpoche more about yourself and the reasons you would like to request refuge. Please note, when making requests to a guru it is customary to make an offering, from you heart and according to your means, to accompany your request.

Kechara House
No. 7, Jalan PJU 1/3G,
SunwayMas Commercial Centre
47301 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, MALAYSIA

Email: Frontdesk@Kechara.com

Even though you are not physically in Malaysia, you can still consider someone your teacher, even if you have not gone through an actual refuge taking ceremony. This is outlined in the Lam Rim teachings, especially in Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, who states that if you truly consider someone to be your teacher in your heart, then this person becomes your guru. You can read more about this in the text, which forms the core of the educational classes at Kechara House. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Ben,

Thank you for your question. Yes you are right. Imprints actually govern how we live our lives, in all aspects. And these imprints from previous lives affect us to varying degrees. The example you gave of yourself being uncomfortable going to bars in this life, can be either two things: imprints from previous lives, or negative experiences from this life (which in turn creates imprints in our mindstream).

If you had a negative experience of going to a bar in this life, you may develop an aversion or dislike of going to bars. This, as you rightly say, may even be caused by social anxiety, which itself can be explained by experiences or events earlier on in a person’s life. This is obviously well known and is explained by the modern science of psychology. However, in some cases, people have a dislike of something for no apparent reason from the viewpoint of modern psychology. In this case, it is more than likely to be due to imprints from previous lives.

When discussing imprints, we have a tendency to label them as being more generalised, such as saying a person has imprints to be an angry person, or even a very kind hearted person. However imprints are much more complicated and can definitely explain certain traits, characteristics and behaviours, such as the likes and dislikes that a person has.

Since imprints are so integral to a person’s interaction with the world, this is why great importance is given to self-reflection and meditation within many Buddhist practices. On an outer level, Buddhist practice tries to cut the creation of negative karma and subsequently the creation of imprints in our mindstream. This is done on three levels, the body, speech and the mind.

For example if we kill others, we create the negative karma of killing, but at the same time, plant violent imprints in our mindstream, which can open up in future lives, manifesting as a tendency to be violent and kill. This itself furthers the cycle of suffering, as we suffer from the karma of killing, and at the same time perpetuates the suffering by reinforcing the imprint to kill. When we always speak negatively, we create the karma to have others speak negatively about us, while planting the imprints to continue the cycle of speaking bad about others in future lives. When we always have negative thoughts, we create negative karma and at the same time, plant the imprints to do the same in future lives. This is part of the cycle of suffering that the Buddha taught as part of the Four Noble Truths.

However Buddhist practice provides you with the key out of this suffering, which was also taught as part of the Four Noble Truths. For example in Buddhism there are 10 non-virtues that all Buddhists strive not to engage in. Doing the opposite of these actions plants imprints in our mindstream that counter the negative effects of our previous actions and imprints from previous lives.

Therefore, imprints play a major roles in our lives and are part and parcel of karma and how we interact with the world. However Buddhist practices does indeed gives us the tools to understand and overcome imprints. In the case of being uncomfortable going to bars in this life, if you have not suffered from bad experiences at bars or are not suffering from social anxiety, then it can definitely be the case that this dislike is due to imprints from experiences in previous lives. What I have mentioned is only a very brief explanation, however I hope this has helped. If you want, you can study more about this in Buddhist teachings on the mind.

Thank you.

Dear Benny Leo,

Thank you for your question. I am sorry to read that are going through such problems with spirit disturbances. What you are going through can be very emotional but it is important not to let the emotions get the better of you and instead keep your mind as stable as possible. In cases of spirit disturbances, when you get over emotional, this allows a spirit who wants to disturb you, more of a chance to do so. One of the ways malevolent spirits try to secure their hold on you is to make you more upset emotionally. This in turn weakens you spiritually, and makes you more open to be disturbed.

If you are suffering from spirit disturbances, this is due to karma. In the past, most probably in one of your previous lives, you would have interacted and created some form of karma. This manifests as the spirit and you having a connection in this life. In the cases of spirit disturbances, this connection opens up in a negative manner. Therefore, since the problem is due to karma, the way to cure or solve the problem is to purify the karma that connects the two of you together.

The recitation of prayers and mantras to certain deities, such as Dorje Shugden, Sengdongma, Dukkar, Medicine Buddha, and various other Buddhas has the specific benefits of purifying this karma, and generating merit that can overcome spirit disturbances. Therefore engaging in such practices is very beneficial.

The practice of Dorje Shugden is excellent for this and I have personally known people who have spirit disturbances that have benefited greatly from the practice. One of Dorje Shugden’s five forms, known as Trakze, is extremely powerful for overcoming spirit disturbances and providing spiritual protection. His Eminence Tsem Rinpoche has a taught the practice, which you can find here: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html

You can study this teaching, and begin reciting the prayers and mantras with the accompanying visualisations in order to help you during this difficult situation. You should try to engage in the practice every day and focus on the mantra recitation and visualisations. This can definitely help you if you continue on a daily basis. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Miki Lamu Sherpa,

I’m sorry but I don’t fully understand your question. Perhaps you can try posting the question again in full.

In general, Buddhists believe in countless previous lives. In fact the goal of Buddhists is to free ourselves from the constant cycle of birth, death and re-birth. This cycle is full of suffering, as was taught by Buddha Shakyamuni. Knowledge of these previous lives is gained in full when enlightenment is reached, however you can remember some of previous lives as you progress on the spiritual path of inner transformation. This can be achieved through specific practice or as secondary benefits of other practices, such as single pointed concentration meditation. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Tami,

Thank you for your questions. I am very glad to read that you are learning a lot through the Youtube videos, I myself learnt a lot from those videos before joining Kechara. There are many unique and beneficial teachings that you can read about on this blog as well.

You are right, such disturbances are the result of karma created in the past, either in this life or previous lives. It is very good that are praying to Lord Dorje Shugden, he can definitely help you in this troubling situation. You can continue to pray to Dorje Shugden in his usual form, or alternatively you can pray to him in the form of Trakze. Here is a link to the explanation and practice: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/buddhas-dharma/trakze-to-dispel-black-magic-spirits.html

The practice of Trakze is very powerful in removing such situations and helping to protect from spirit harm and black magic. Many people have seen their disturbances lessen and stop through this practice. The pastors recommend this practice to others a lot, because from our experience is very beneficial.

As for sponsoring pujas, you can do so from here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/pujas

You can sponsor a Dorje Shugden puja here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/dorje-shugden-wishfulfilling-puja-fund

Alternatively you can sponsor a Trakze puja here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/trakze-puja-fund

I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Ra Ma,

Thank you for your question. There could be a number of reasons that you are smelling smoke when there is none around you, and some of these can be medical in nature. Therefore I would like to suggest that you visit your doctor to eliminate any medical issues that may be causing this.

Even on a spiritual level there could be many reasons for this to happen. One such reason could be a sign that there are non-human entities around you, especially if you are sensitive to such beings. That being said, this could be just one situation.

I would like to suggest that you engage in the practice of the Dharma protector Dorje Shugden on a daily basis. This will have a great benefit in your life. In the case that this is a medical issue, the practice will help remove obstacles to get accurate diagnosis and treatment. And in the case it may be due to more supernatural reasons, the practice can be bestow very powerful protection so you are not afflicted by this for much longer.

You can find the daily practice here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden

And you can learn more about the benefits of the practice here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/category/benefits.

Even if the reason turns out to be neither of these, the practice of Dorje Shugden is very beneficial in our lives. In fact many of us at Kechara engage in the practice every day as we are know the tremendous benefits of doing so. I hope this helps. Thank you.

Dear Paco Maitelli Ferrigo,

I’m sorry but I don’t understand your question. Please try posting your question in full again and we will be more than happy to answer.

Dear Estrela Lemelas,

Thank you for your question. The red string that you were given could either be a protector string or a general sting blessed by a lama. In either case, this should be a positive item that you can wear or keep with you.

I’m very sorry to hear that you are going through these obstacles in your life now. I know that such situations can be extremely difficult. If I may, I would like to suggest that you engage in the practices of both Lama Tsongkhapa and also Dorje Shugden. These two practices will be very beneficial in your life. The practice of Lama Tsongkhapa can help alleviate your mind of worries, and the practice of Dorje Shugden can help to overcome obstacles and creating conducive condition, leading to a smoother life. These practices are very strong and beneficial, and will definitely help you in your situation. It would be best to engage in these prayers on a daily basis for maximum effect, and concentrate on the mantras when you recite them.

You can find the practice here: http://www.dorjeshugden.org/practice/diamond-path-a-daily-sadhana-of-dorje-shugden. Or if you would like a physical copy, then you can invite a copy from here: http://www.vajrasecrets.com/diamond-path. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Lobsang,

Thank you for your question. Since Chitipati/Kinkara is an enlightened protector you can definitely recite the mantra. There is absolutely no harm in this, only benefit. In fact you can even recite the prayers to Chitipati/Kinkara. This will help your spiritual practice greatly and even create a connection through this to Vajrayogini, so you are able to receive this beneficial empowerment in the future. I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Dear Demian,

Thank you for your questions. Dorje Namjom is a Buddha associated with purification. The Dorje Namjom water practice is specifically associated with purification of negative karma, especially in relation to physical problems. This practice is known as the Chabtru Puja, and is known to cure paralysis, strokes, skin disorders and many very severe problems. Although, as a fully enlightened Buddha, Dorje Namjom can lead you to enlightenment, the water practice is specially to purify negative karma that is the cause for various problems.

I cannot comment on the True Buddha School because I do not know much about them. Generally speaking however, within Buddhist practice it is best to keep to a particular lineage, rather than mixing them together, this is because it becomes very easy to get confused, as each lineage will have different ways of explaining the teachings and concentrate on different deities, etc.

There are many forms of Palden Lhamo and some of them have mantras for her retinue. However in the one face, and two armed form, which is the form most commonly practiced it does not included mantras to her retinue. In this form the main mantra also covers both Palden Lhamo and retinue. I hope this helps.

Thank you.